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Mahakala is a category of Tantric Buddhist deity. His primary function is as a protector (Dharmapala) and specifically the primary Wisdom Protector of Himalayan and Tibetan Buddhism. There are dozens of different variations and forms of Mahakala. He is typically in wrathful appearance following the Indian model of a Raksha demon. In most occurrences and uses of Mahakala, he is paired with a meditational deity such as Panjarnata Mahakala and Shri Hevajra, Chaturbhuja Mahakala and Chakrasamvara, Chaturmukha Mahakala and Guhyasamaja. In most cases Mahakala is an emanation, or wrathful aspect, of the principal meditational deity that he is associated with. For instance Panjarnata Mahakala is the most wrathful emanation, or form, of Hevajra. In other situations Mahakala might be a wrathful emanation of Vajradhara or Akshobhya Buddha. Aside from the individual Anuttarayoga Tantras that teach various forms of Mahakala, the principal texts are the Twenty-five and Fifty Chapter Mahakala Tantras.

In one specific case, Shadbhuja Mahakala, Avalokiteshvara takes on the form of Mahakala. Therefore, it can be said that the Shadbhuja form, with one face and six hands, arising from the Eight Chapter Mahakala Tantra, is a wrathful Avalokiteshvara.

Types of Mahakala:

1. Bernagchen (Black Cloak)

2. Brahmarupa (Bramhmin Form)

3. Chaturbhuja (Four-hands)

4. Chaturmukha (Four-faces)

5. Danda (Stick)

6. Kakamukha (Raven-faced)

7. Kartaridhara (Knife Holder)

8. Legden (Excellent One)

9. Maning (Genderless)

10. Panjarnata (Two-hands)

11. Raudrantika (Killer of Rudra)

12. Shadbhuja (Six-hands)

13. Shanglon (Minister, from the Yutog Nyingtig)

14. Vyaghra-vahana (Riding a Tiger)

15. Others....